Three Chinese air filter makers to watch in 2026

By AI, Created 9:01 AM UTC, June 05, 2026, /AGP/ – Chinese manufacturers are gaining ground in global air filtration as demand rises for cleaner indoor air, cleaner manufacturing and more energy-efficient HVAC systems. A new profile compares Henkaes, Camfil China and AAF China on certification, customization, product range and market fit.

Why it matters: - Global demand for high-performance air filtration is rising because of stricter indoor air quality rules, expanding cleanroom use and pressure to reduce HVAC energy costs. - Buyers are increasingly looking for suppliers that can meet multiple standards, support custom designs and deliver consistent performance across industrial and commercial applications. - Chinese manufacturers are playing a bigger role in that shift because they combine engineering capabilities, lower production costs and broad certification coverage.

What happened: - The article profiles three air filter manufacturers in China in 2026: Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd. (Henkaes), Camfil China and AAF China. - Henkaes is based in Haimen City, Jiangsu Province, and was founded in 2004. - Camfil China operates production facilities in Shanghai and nearby areas. - AAF China has facilities in Guangdong and Jiangsu.

The details: - Henkaes operates a 30,000 m² facility and says it can produce 2,000,000 pieces a year. - Henkaes employs about 63 staff, including an 11-person engineering team. - Exports account for 69% of Henkaes output, mostly to the EU and US. - Henkaes holds ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications. - Henkaes tests filters to ASHRAE 52.2 standards and uses dedicated labs for formaldehyde and VOC removal, CADR testing and noise testing. - Henkaes sells furnace filters, box filters, V-bank filters, cleanroom filters, true HEPA and HEPA filters, activated carbon and VOC filters, and aerospace cabin air filters. - Henkaes’ furnace filters use polypropylene and come in MERV 8, MERV 11 and MERV 13 grades. - Henkaes’ box filters use microfiberglass and reach MERV 15 and MERV 16. - Henkaes’ V-bank filter is rated H13 under EN 1822. - Henkaes’ cleanroom filters are rated U14/U15 for data centers and microelectronics. - Henkaes’ true HEPA and HEPA filters are rated at 99.97% efficiency for 0.3 μm particles. - Henkaes’ carbon and VOC filters use activated carbon with CTC grades from 70 to 100, plus catalysts for targeted VOC removal. - Henkaes’ B737/B757 cabin air filter uses aerospace-grade microfiberglass and H13 efficiency. - Henkaes offers OEM and ODM production, monthly capacity of 200,000 pieces, typical lead times of 30 days and a minimum order quantity of 500 pieces. - Henkaes says it provides engineering support from specifications and drawings through prototyping and solid modeling. - Henkaes says it has long-term US customers, including annual supply of 50,000 formaldehyde-removal filters and 20,000 high-efficiency indoor purifier filters. - Camfil China focuses on HVAC and industrial filtration, including HEPA, gas-phase and molecular filters. - Camfil China highlights products such as the Hi-Flo and CityCarb series and emphasizes energy efficiency and lower lifecycle cost. - Camfil China holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications. - AAF China offers panel filters, bag filters, rigid cell filters and HEPA/ULPA filters for HVAC, cleanroom and industrial use. - AAF China holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and is positioned on durability and large-scale project supply.

Between the lines: - The comparison shows two different buying priorities: multinational system suppliers with broad brand recognition versus a smaller manufacturer built around customization and faster engineering support. - Henkaes is positioning itself as the flexible option for buyers that need custom dimensions, lower minimum orders and application-specific designs. - Camfil and AAF appear strongest for customers that want standardized solutions, global support and established brand confidence. - The article also signals where demand is heading: higher-efficiency filters, better VOC and odor control, and more specialized filtration for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and cleanrooms.

What’s next: - Chinese filter makers that keep investing in testing labs, international certifications and application-specific R&D are likely to gain more export business. - Demand should remain strong for HEPA and ULPA products in cleanrooms and for carbon-based filters in residential air purifiers. - Buyers will likely continue to weigh certification, lead time, customization and after-sales support more heavily in supplier selection.

The bottom line: - Henkaes, Camfil China and AAF China are all targeting the same growing filtration market, but each is built for a different type of buyer. The key decision is whether the customer wants custom engineering, global system scale or a proven international brand.